Orkin-UGA Partnership Delivers Industry-Wide Impact

GRIFFIN, Ga. - The long-standing partnership between Orkin and the University of Georgia (UGA) is producing real-world results that benefit the entire pest control industry. Through applied research, technician education and public outreach, the collaboration, supported by the Rollins Endowment, is an industry-academic partnership that is driving practical improvements in urban pest management.

Dr. Dan Suiter, an urban entomologist at UGA’s Griffin campus, says the program was designed to deliver immediate value. “When people invest in this kind of work, they expect to see results — not decades from now, but today,” he said.

That focus on timely outcomes is clear in UGA’s approach to outreach. Suiter meets regularly with the university’s communications team to flag emerging pest issues and develop educational content for both the public and pest professionals. A recent example involved the invasive Asian needle ant. After Suiter received multiple inquiries about it, UGA created a media campaign that quickly spread awareness among consumers and pest control operators.

“This kind of outreach helps get actionable information into the hands of technicians,” Suiter said. “Even a short message from a trusted expert can make a difference in how the public and professionals respond.”

Research and Field Support

The partnership is also advancing applied research. In June, UGA added a new graduate student focused on updating perimeter pest control strategies, with early findings expected at the upcoming PestWorld conference.

Meanwhile, collaboration with county extension agents, such as those in the metro Atlanta area, has helped bridge the pest control industry and university extension services. Suiter and Frank Meek, technical services manager at Rollins, host in-person sessions at the Rollins Learning Center to learn directly from these agents.

“We ask, ‘What are you hearing from the public?’” Meek said. “That feedback helps shape our training programs and research priorities.”

Training and Continuing Education

Education is a core component of the partnership. For more than a decade, UGA has offered a monthly webinar series covering key topics like termite control and vector-borne diseases. These sessions are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs) in five states, often open to the public, and are free for Orkin technicians and veterans of U.S. military service.

“If a technician needs CEUs, they attend the webinar, and we handle the reporting,” Suiter explained. “It’s a simple way to deliver high-impact training at scale.”

UGA also hosts in-person CEU days for pest control professionals across Georgia. Meek said even experienced technicians benefit. “You’ll see people who’ve been in the field for 30 years taking notes,” he said. “That’s the value of applied, relevant education.”

Documenting the Industry’s History

To preserve the knowledge of industry veterans, Suiter and Billy Blasingame launched an oral history project of the pest control industry that included interviews with Gary Rollins, executive chairman emeritus and the late Paul Hardy, the legendary technical/training manager at Orkin. These interviews will be archived at the UGA library and available to the public.

“These professionals helped shape the industry nationally,” Suiter said. “Their stories offer insights that future generations can learn from.”

As of early September 2025 the oral history of 14 industry icons has been recorded, with many more to come.

Looking Ahead

As the pest control industry navigates workforce shortages and generational change, the Orkin-UGA partnership is adapting. Suiter says the team is focused on supporting both new technicians entering the field and experienced professionals advancing into leadership roles.

A recent attempt to attract new talent through a free evening training program ended up serving more as a CEU opportunity for current professionals. Suiter says drawing in high school graduates remains a key challenge.

Still, both Suiter and Meek see opportunity in increased industry engagement and communication.

“Sharing research, publishing Q&As, and providing updates on emerging pests helps us support the broader industry,” Suiter said.

Meek added, “The impact of this work goes well beyond Rollins. The research, education, and outreach we’re doing here benefit pest control professionals everywhere.”